Debbie Harry and Chris Stein, founding members of the new wave hitmakers, pay tribute to their late bandmateClem Burke, the drummer whose backbeats powered Blondie to huge chart success across several decades, has died aged 70.Burke's bandmates Debbie Harry and Chris Stein said he had died after a private battle with cancer", in a tribute posted to Instagram. Continue reading...
by Jessica Elgot Deputy political editor on (#6WF34)
Ministers and more than 70 MPs attended photo call with Yuan Yang and Abtisam Mohamed whose travel ban was called unacceptableCabinet ministers and more than 70 parliamentarians staged a show of solidarity with two MPs who were detained and barred from entry to Israel in what was the first time British MPs had been banned from the country.The health secretary, Wes Streeting, and the chief secretary to the Treasury, Darren Jones, joined the photocall in Westminster Hall on Monday with the MPs, along with Hamish Falconer and housing minister Rushanara Ali. It was organised by the Rochdale MP Paul Waugh. Continue reading...
Prime minister says no one is pretending tariffs are good news' during speech on car industryIn his Times article Keir Starmer describes the Trump tariffs as the beginning of a new era". He has been saying this at least since last Thursday, when he spoke about the tariffs at a Q&A with journalists at Labour's local elections campaign launch. The speech this afternoon is being described as the PM's most considered response so far to the global economic turmoil generated by the tariffs, but we have already heard quite a lot from Starmer on this topic already, in a Sunday Telegraph article yesterday and in No 10 briefings on the calls he had with world leaders about the situation over the weekend.Is there a coherent strategy? On the basis of what he has said so far, there are at least five elements in the mix at the moment.John Ryan is a local hero and we are truly humbled that he has publicly endorsed Reform UK ahead of May's elections in Doncaster. Continue reading...
PRCS calls for international investigation after postmortem results add to evidence contradicting Israel's accountAutopsies conducted on 15 Palestinian paramedics and civil emergency responders who were killed by Israeli forces in Gaza show they were shot in the upper body with intent to kill", according to the Palestinian Red Crescent, which is demanding an international investigation into the attack.The killings took place in the southern Gaza Strip on 23 March, days into a renewed Israeli offensive in the Hamas-ruled territory, and sparked international condemnation. Continue reading...
by Eleni Courea Political Correspondent on (#6WF26)
Exclusive: Richard Harpin pauses donations in move insiders say will result in closure of party's northern HQ UK politics live - latest updatesOne of the Conservatives' biggest donors has stopped funding the party in a move insiders believe will result in the closure of its northern HQ, the Guardian can reveal.Richard Harpin, the founder of the home repairs business HomeServe, has ended his donations to the Conservatives, according to two Tory sources. Continue reading...
Park service deletes quote and an image of abolitionist from webpage, instead emphasizing Black/White cooperation'The National Park Service has removed a quote and an image of US abolitionist Harriet Tubman from a webpage about the Underground Railroad network that helped enslaved people escape captivity - and instead, the page now emphasizes what it describes as Black/White Cooperation" as Donald Trump's presidential administration continues its effort to sanitize the country's history.Previously, the page in question led with a quote from Tubman, who was the most renowned Underground Railroad operative, along with a prominent image of her. However, the revised page no longer includes these elements, and several references to enslaved people and the Fugitive Slave Act of 1850 which Tubman as well as the Underground Railroad defied have also been removed. Continue reading...
Barbados PM and Caricom chair calls on Washington to engage in talks to keep prices down for all of our people'The Caribbean is a friend, not an enemy, leaders in the region have told Donald Trump after the US president's imposition of worldwide import tariffs.The prime minister of Barbados, Mia Mottley, invited Trump to talk with leaders in the region and work together to keep prices down for all of our people", adding: I say simply to President Trump: our economies are not doing your economy any harm in any way. They are too small to have any negative or distorted impact on your country." Continue reading...
Ashley Daniels accused of giving more work to engineering firm after gifts that also included 2,000 boxing ticketsA senior manager at the Hinkley nuclear power plant accepted bribes such as an 11,000 quad bike to funnel extra work to a British engineering firm, an employment tribunal has heard.Ashley Daniels was investigated by Hinkley's owner, EDF, after he was given gifts such as 2,000 hospitality tickets for a boxing match and a refill for his Montblanc fountain pen, the tribunal in Bristol heard. Continue reading...
South Wales officer was driving van that followed Harvey Evans, 15, and Kyrees Sullivan, 16, in May 2023A police officer who was driving a van that followed two teenage boys before they died in an e-bike crash in Cardiff, triggering hours of disorder in the city, will not face charges, prosecutors have said.The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) said it had decided not to bring criminal charges against the South Wales police officer following the deaths of Harvey Evans, 15, and Kyrees Sullivan, 16, in Ely, Cardiff, on 22 May 2023. Continue reading...
by Yohannes Lowe (now) and Martin Belam (earlier) on (#6WEQ8)
15 medics and rescuers killed last month in Gaza were shot in upper body with intent to kill', says president of Palestinian Red Crescent SocietyRussia, China and Iran will hold consultations at expert level on the Iranian nuclear programme in Moscow on Tuesday, Russian's foreign ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova has been cited as saying.Donald Trump has threatened to bomb Iran unless it comes to an agreement with Washington over its nuclear programme, and the Kremlin said earlier today that Russia was ready to do all it could to help resolve tensions between the Washington and Tehran.Macron said he strongly opposed any displacement of Palestinians from Gaza. We are firmly opposed to the displacement of populations and to any annexation of both Gaza and the West Bank," Macron told journalists. This would be a violation of international law and a serious threat to the security of the entire region, including Israel," he said.Macron said Hamas, which has run Gaza since 2007, should have no part in governing the strip after the war and reiterated his support for a reconstruction plan for the territory endorsed by the Arab League. I salute here the crucial work of Egypt on this plan, which offers a realistic path to the reconstruction of Gaza and should also pave the way for new Palestinian governance in the enclave led by the Palestinian Authority," he said. Hamas must have no role in this governance, and must no longer constitute a threat to Israel." Continue reading...
Asylum seekers detained at Manston in Kent say they were kept in unsanitary tents during infectious disease outbreakAt least 250 people who were detained at Manston asylum centre during a period when it was dangerously overcrowded and grappling with outbreaks of infectious diseases are suing the government for unlawful detention and other breaches of their rights.They include a woman who had a miscarriage, a child whose age was recorded as five years older than he was, classifying him as an adult, and a teenager who was a victim of torture and trafficking. Continue reading...
by Hannah Al-Othman North of England correspondent on (#6WET5)
Relatives of Agnes Wanjiru say 13-year fight for justice has taken heavy toll' after meeting with John HealeyThe family of a Kenyan woman who was allegedly killed by British soldiers have said their 13-year fight for justice has taken a heavy toll", and that they have been offered too many empty promises" after a meeting with the defence secretary.Agnes Wanjiru was 21 when she disappeared in March 2012. She was last seen in the company of British soldiers in a bar in a hotel in Nanyuki, a town in eastern Kenya where the British army has a military base, BATUK. Continue reading...
Analysis suggests prioritising projects that give quick local results may hold back support for populismAreas that received money from the last government's much-criticised levelling up fund tended to have lower votes for Reform UK in the general election, a study has found, indicating that projects delivering quick results may hold back support for populism.The study by the Social Market Foundation (SMF) thinktank, billed as the first to examine a mass of data factors linked to support for Reform at the level of individual seats, identified a series of factors likely to make voters more likely to back Nigel Farage's party. Continue reading...
by Nadia Khomami Arts and culture correspondent on (#6WEM6)
London gallery's competition marks 200th anniversary and opening of Sainsbury Wing after two-year overhaulAs far as sleepovers go, it's a one of a kind: an overnight stay in a luxury bed in the middle of the National Gallery's exhibition rooms, dreaming under the world's greatest paintings.Perhaps you'll be inspired by the venerated artworks to pick up a paintbrush, or you'll have a surreal experience like Ben Stiller in Night at the Museum, whose character - a night security guard - finds its exhibits come to life after sunset. You could even unearth a long-buried conspiracy, and find your discoveries adorning the pages of the next Dan Brown novel. Continue reading...
Hospital waiting lists among worst in UK and children with special needs waiting a year for support, report findsNorthern Ireland's public services, including hospitals, schools and police, are being crippled" by lack of funding, impinging on the quality of life for many people, a report by a government committee has concluded.The Northern Ireland select committee found patients waiting more than 12 hours to be seen in accident and emergency departments and mental health needs 40% greater than anywhere else in the UK. Hospital waiting lists are among the worst in the country. Continue reading...
Scottish government holds emergency meeting to coordinate response after blaze reaches Loch DoonEmergency services were on Sunday continuing to battle a wildfire that started in Galloway in the south of Scotland, and has spread north into East Ayrshire, forcing the evacuation of walkers and wild campers.The blaze started in the Newton Stewart area on Thursday, then spread northwards over the weekend after a change in wind direction to reach Loch Doon. Continue reading...
Her introduction to politics began as the child of the chair of Birmingham Labour party and as justice secretary she's made tough decisions from day oneShabana Mahmood's potential as a future cabinet minister was first noticed by the former deputy Labour leader Tom Watson in the 90s over tea and samosas at her family's end-of-terrace Birmingham home.Watson, a seasoned fixer, had become a close friend of her father, Mahmood Ahmed, the chair of Birmingham Labour party. When political problems arose, Watson and fellow Labour party organisers would be guided through to comfy sofas in the family sitting room. Continue reading...
Omar Mohammad Rabea, 14, killed alongside two other teenagers in West Bank town as settler violence escalatesA Palestinian teenager with US citizenship was killed by Israeli forces in the West Bank town of Turmus Ayya, Palestinian officials said on Sunday, with the Israeli military saying it shot a terrorist" who was allegedly endangering civilians by hurling rocks.The incident is the latest in a surge of violence and near-daily confrontations in the volatile West Bank, where settler violence and clashes between Israeli forces and armed Palestinians have kept it on edge. Continue reading...
Far-right leader tells supporters she is victim of witch-hunt', while radical left says RN's mask has slipped What is Marine Le Pen guilty of in National Rally embezzlement case?The French far-right leader Marine Le Pen has told supporters in Paris she would fight a political, not a judicial ruling" that could bar her from the next presidential election, as a rival rally denounced an existential threat" to the rule of law after her conviction for embezzling public funds.This decision has trampled on everything I hold most dear: my people, my country and my honour," the figurehead of National Rally (RN) told a crowd of flag-waving supporters as the country's three main political movements staged events in the Paris. Continue reading...
by Jessica Murray Social affairs correspondent on (#6WEDZ)
Lawsuit would be first of its kind against police officers, police chiefs and government departmentsMore than 100 relatives of people who have died after contact with the police in the UK since 1971 have joined plans for a class action lawsuit in pursuit of compensation and justice.The plan for group legal action was announced at the People's Tribunal on Police Killings, a two-day event in which bereaved families presented evidence to a panel of international experts on how their relatives died and the long-term impact this has had on them. Continue reading...
by Bethan McKernan in Jerusalem and agencies on (#6WECA)
Phone footage contradicts IDF claims vehicles were not using emergency lights when troops opened fireIsrael's military has backtracked on its account of the killing of 15 Palestinian medics in Gaza last month after footage contradicted its claims that their vehicles did not have emergency signals on when Israeli troops opened fire.
Defence officials believe Trident nuclear fleet is latest target in Putin's greyzone' war with the UKBritain is behind the curve" in tracking Russia's deep-sea operations, an ex-minister has said, after spy sensors targeting Royal Navy submarines were found in waters around the UK.Tobias Ellwood, a former defence and Foreign Office minister, called for a huge expansion of the navy's surveillance capability after it was revealed that a number of Kremlin spy devices had been seized by the military. Continue reading...
Pontiff makes first public appearance in the Vatican since his release from hospital two weeks agoPope Francis has made a surprise appearance in St Peter's Square during a special jubilee mass for the sick and health workers, marking his first public appearance at the Vatican since his discharge from hospital two weeks ago.The pontiff waved at the crowd that stood and applauded as he was appeared unannounced, assisted in a wheelchair to the front of the altar in the square. Continue reading...
by Josh Halliday North of England editor on (#6WEAV)
Three detectives involved in the investigation speak of their relief at finally solving the puzzleDC Beth Colbourne was walking out of Chester crown court when she got the email that brought an end to one of the longest baby death mysteries in recent times. It started: Are you sitting down?"As an officer in Cheshire constabulary's major crime review team, Colbourne had been tasked with solving a puzzle that had confounded police for 25 years: who was Baby Callum? Continue reading...
Peter Reynolds, 79, detained with his wife, Barbie, since February, says prison is nearest thing to hell I can imagine'A Briton held captive by the Taliban for more than nine weeks has said he is living in dire conditions in a prison in Kabul, describing it as the nearest thing to hell I can imagine".In a recording of a phone call from Pul-e-Charkhi prison, Peter Reynolds, 79, also spoke of his fears for the safety of his wife, Barbie, who is being held in the women's section of the the maximum-security jail. Continue reading...
Servings of 250ml and 175ml are becoming rarer in restaurants and bars as customers opt for smaller tastingsIt may be a sign of changing tastes, of a health-conscious nation, or yet another example of the cost of living crisis encroaching on our few simple pleasures - but it seems the large glass of wine may soon be a thing of the past.While a 250ml option used to be commonplace, it is becoming harder to find on the menus of bars and restaurants up and down the country as venues increasingly favour smaller 125ml servings. Continue reading...
by Lanre Bakare Art and culture correspondent on (#6WE8Z)
British-born painter Sarah A Boardman disputes US president's claim that she purposefully distorted' his imageThe British artist called truly the worst" by the US president, Donald Trump, after he derided a portrait she created of him, has said the criticism called her integrity into question" and is threatening her career.Sarah A Boardman painted Trump's official portrait for the Colorado state capitol building in Denver, where it hung for six years from 2019. Continue reading...
The film, combined with The Little Mermaid, created more carbon emissions than some major airports do in a yearAt a screening of the new Snow White movie in London last month, influencers walked through an artificial fairytale forest, complete with a full-size thatched cottage filled with models of furry animals. In the US, Disney paraded an actual bunny in a brown knitted jumper down the red carpet at the film's Hollywood premiere.But the film's theme of being at one with nature seems not to have extended to the real-life environment, with company documents showing the making of Snow White generated more greenhouse gas emissions in the UK than the latest Fast & Furious film, despite the latter's reliance on an array of gas-guzzling cars. Continue reading...
Unions urge energy giant EDF to take action as concerns mount over health of construction staffWorkers building the troubled Hinkley Point C nuclear reactor in Somerset have raised concerns that the construction site is overrun by rats.The Unite and GMB trade unions are understood to have warned the developer, the French energy giant EDF, that urgent action is needed because the rodents are everywhere". Continue reading...
White House welcome for key member of Russian president's inner circle raises fears over America's commitment to peaceKirill Dmitriev's meetings with US officials in the White House last week went largely below the radar. And deliberately so.The dapper investment envoy to Russian president Vladimir Putin, who also serves as a key negotiator for Moscow on Ukraine, posted an image of his flight plan on social media to make the point that a senior sanctioned Russian official was being welcomed by the Trump administration. Otherwise, details of what was discussed remain opaque. Continue reading...
Police urge people to stay away, as helicopters try to extinguish flames in Galloway and surrounding regionFirefighters are dealing with a wild blaze that has spread over a large area of forest in Scotland with police urging people to stay away from the area.
Organisers say 150,000 joined protest in Madrid urging the government to end the housing racket' and to demand access to affordable housingTens of thousands of people have taken to the streets of Spain in the latest protest against housing speculation and to demand access to affordable homes.Organisers claim that up to 150,000 joined the protest in Madrid while smaller demonstrations were held in about 40 cities across the country. Protesters from Malaga on the Costa del Sol to Vigo in the Atlantic northwest chanted end the housing racket" and landlords are guilty, the government is responsible". Continue reading...
Campaigners accuse racing industry of spouting empty rhetoric' about welfare after horses injured in dramatic raceAnimal rights organisations have criticised the Grand National after a horse that was leading the race suffered a grim fall, and a second collapsed shortly after the competition.Broadway Boy, a seven-year-old horse ridden by Tom Bellamy, took what was described by spectators as a sickening fall" at the 25th jump, appearing to land on his head and not moving immediately afterwards. Continue reading...
Fuelled by social media, a global boom is outstripping production of the powdered green teaThe appearance of the vivid-green powder elicits smiles and appreciative sounds, and anticipation among dozens of tea lovers. Their hand-milled batches now ready for whisking with hot water, they will soon be rewarded for their patience.The foreign tourists attending a matcha-making experience in Uji, near Kyoto in western Japan, are united in their love of the powdered, bitter form of green tea the Japanese have been drinking for centuries, and which is now at the centre of a global boom. Continue reading...
Group plans to hold demonstrations in London against UK arms sales to Israel every Tuesday and Saturday in AprilAbout 40 Youth Demand protesters were told to move on by the police during a pro-Palestinian rally in central London on Saturday.The campaigners began gathering at Lincoln's Inn Fields on Saturday morning and made their way to King's Cross station. Continue reading...
Livia Tossici-Bolt says she was disappointed' to be convicted of breaching Bournemouth clinic buffer zoneA woman who was given a conditional discharge after being convicted of breaching a buffer zone outside an abortion clinic in Bournemouth has claimed she was not there to express my views".Livia Tossici-Bolt, an anti-abortion campaigner whose case has been cited by the US state department over freedom of expression" concerns in the UK, told the BBC's Today programme she was really disappointed" with the conviction because it's nothing to do with protesting" and said she would continue my fight for freedom of speech". Continue reading...
Israel says soldiers fired on terrorists' in suspicious vehicles' but footage shows clearly marked ambulancesMobile phone footage of the last moments of some of the 15 Palestinian paramedics and rescue workers killed by Israeli forces in an incident in Gaza last month appears to contradict the version of events put forward by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF).The almost seven-minute video, which the Palestine Red Crescent Society (PRCS) said on Saturday was recovered from the phone of Rifat Radwan, one of the men killed, appears to have been filmed from inside a moving vehicle. It shows a red fire engine and clearly marked ambulances driving at night, using headlights and flashing emergency lights. Continue reading...
Police called to Golden Beach Holiday Park in Ingoldmells in early hours of SaturdayTwo people have died after a caravan fire at a holiday park, police have said.Lincolnshire police said they were called to Golden Beach Holiday Park in Ingoldmells at 3.53am on Saturday. Continue reading...
Artist says severe eye infection last year has left him unable to read, see TV or watch his sons playing sportsElton John has spoken of his distress at losing his eyesight and how he can no longer watch his young sons playing.John revealed in a social media post last year that a severe eye infection" had left him with only limited vision in one eye". Continue reading...
Measures hailed as lifeline for parents will allow people with sick babies to take up to 12 weeks' leaveParents with children in neonatal care will gain a day-one right to paid leave in a move hailed as a lifeline for parents" with sick babies.From Sunday, the measures will allow eligible parents to take up to 12 weeks of leave and pay, on top of maternity and paternity leave. Continue reading...
US and Europe criticised by head of Norwegian Refugee Council for neglect' of people living subhuman' existenceWorld leaders should be ashamed of their neglect of people whose lives were hanging by a thread" at a time of surging violence in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), the international charity leader Jan Egeland has said.In a stinging attack on aid cuts and the nationalistic winds" blowing across Europe and the US, the Norwegian Refugee Council's head told the Guardian how people were living out in the open, in overcrowded, unsanitary displacement encampments around the city of Goma, where 1.2 million people have had to flee from their homes as the M23 rebels advanced through the DRC's North and South Kivu provinces. Continue reading...
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